GAWLER - PORT PIRIE - WHYALLA - WIRRABRA - YANKALILLA

Last Update: 30 August 2010

Takahashi Shihan (8th Dan, OAM) TSKF Australia Chief Instructor

Shihan visits Australia twice a year and spends many weeks visiting the various states. During this time he conducts training and gradings. We are very lucky to have a man of this calibre teaching us. He brings an unbroken line of instruction to us. The TSKFA is Shotokan based and not for profit Karate organization that is following the original teachings of the founder Gichin Funakoshi and the late Master Nakayama. TSKFA truly believe that the #1 Principle "Never forget that karate begins and ends with respect" should be followed at all times. We also promote strong moral principles, traditional etiquette and the encouragement of goodwill and harmony among all karateka. We look forward to an exciting new future with the opportunity to train with like minded Shotokan karate groups and foster an 'open-door' policy. All states have various events for the rest of the year including Childers, Northern Rivers, Coolah and New Zealand to mention a few. Refer to the national web site for these events.

Karate for Cancer

On Saturday August 7 at the Gawler Recreation Centre, we trained to raise money for the Cancer Council. Thanks to all who trained, and all those who came to watch. We have been accepting donations since. Thanks to everyone's support, we have now raised in excess of $1000.

August Training and Grading

Once again, Takahashi Shihan 8th Dan OAM has been & gone to South Australia. This is his 37th year now that he has visited Australia. I had the privilege of being able to accompany Shihan on this visit during 19th–24th August.

Training on Thursday night was hosted by Sensei Jim Watson at the Whyalla Dojo. The Whyalla Dojo is also fortunate enough to have Sensei Bob Hedger return as a senior instructor to this club. This is great news for Whyalla and indeed South Australia. Shihan concentrated on stance and then had the students participate in resistance training. We used purpose made rubber straps for blocking and punching. The session was completed with 13 kata. The Whyalla club has a vast amount of experience with Sensei Jim Watson and Sensei Bob Hedger and the future for this club is bright. After the training myself and Sensei Ian Watson commented on how fit Sensei Bob Hedger is. TSKF South Australia would like to congratulate Sensei Jim Watson for grading and receiving his Sandan ranking.

The next day Friday we were off to Pt Pirie. Takahashi Shihan, Sensei Ian Watson and myself departed Whyalla at about 10.00am. We stopped at Pt Augusta at Shihan's request to obtain some additional resistance rubbers. This was to be the theme of Friday night's training. The Port Pirie Dojo under Sensei Ian Watson is going very well with some 23 members as is the Wirabarra Dojo. The standard at the club is high & Shihan was impressed with some of the juniors. TSKF South Australia would also like to congratulate Sensei Ian Watson on receiving his Godan ranking at the Queensland state titles recently.

The next morning we headed off to Gawler for our weekend seminar. This was held at Xavier College Gawler. Saturday afternoon was brown and black belt training only with approx 30 karateka in attendance. Sunday involved 2 sessions for all grades. All sessions involved resistance training and Shihan also introduced some kumite drills which formed part of the grading requirements on Tuesday night. The weekend seminar was excellent and greatly appreciated by all.

Tuesday night was back to the Gawler Dojo for training and grading. There were a number of beginners missing but even so the hall was packed with 57 people on the floor. The 1st hour was very demanding with the last half hour almost as tough. Gawler had 2 Shodan gradings and 4 Nidan gradings. Well done to all. There were many Kyu gradings and we offer our congratulations to all. The Gawler Dojo under Sensei Lester Tobitt is going from strength to strength and the depth of the Dan grades is growing.

Thanks to all the people that contributed to the things that are required to keep a club running. Thanks to Sempai John Brassington for his continued teaching at Evanston and Sempai Bruce Arnold at Yankallila. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Sensei David Yapp and Sensei Sam Noble for attending our state training and meeting again with Takahashi Shihan. Finally to Takahashi Shihan, I know I speak for all in saying thank you for continuing to come to Australia to teach and support us. We are very fortunate.

OSS
Sensei Paul Brown